Writer and editor Sean McCoy
2679 articles

Sean McCoy

Editorial Director

Editorial Director Sean McCoy is a lifelong outdoorsman who grew up hunting and fishing central Wisconsin forests and lakes. He joined GearJunkie after a 10-year stint as a newspaperman in the Caribbean, where he learned sailing and wooden-boat repair.

Based in GearJunkie's Denver office, McCoy is an avid trail runner, camper, hunter, angler, mountain biker, skier, and beer tester.

Title: Editorial Director
Email: sean@gearjunkie.com
Location: Denver, Colo.
Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-mccoy-4ba26043/https://twitter.com/seanmccoy18

Expertise

  • Topics of Expertise: Hunting, Fishing, Skiing, Sailing, Trail running, Camping, Hiking, Outdoor Gear
  • Years in This Expertise: 20+
  • Number of Products & Number of Hours Expert Has Tested: 2,000+ products, 10,000+ hours

Education & Certifications

Experience

Prior to his promotion to Editorial Director at AllGear, McCoy was editor-in-chief of GearJunkie.com, where he worked with Stephen Regenold (a former college roommate) to build the premier outdoors gear website on the internet. But that just tells part of the story.

McCoy’s experience as a genuine GearJunkie goes back to the ’80s. He grew up in Wisconsin, and was an avid angler and bike racer as a child. In college, he worked at the iconic Minneapolis outdoor store Midwest Mountaineering at the climbing counter. He sold rock climbing gear and taught basic climbing skills in the shop.

After college, he moved to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands to work at the Virgin Islands Daily News. There, he honed his skills as a sports reporter, photographer, and news reporter. He also avidly learned sailing, diving, and surfing skills, which he practiced at every opportunity.

Upon returning to the mainland, McCoy rekindled his love of the mountains. He moved to Colorado, where he lives to this day.

As Editorial Director, McCoy oversees the creative direction for content initiatives at AllGear sites including GearJunkie, BikeRumor, ExplorersWeb, iRunFar, and The Inertia. He strongly believes in fairness and transparency in journalism, particularly in gear reviewing, and applies many lessons learned in newspaper reporting to his leadership style at AllGear.

Career Highlights

  • Completing the Trans-Rockies Run, including a third-place finish
  • Completing the Leadville 100 Trail Run
  • Completing the Grand Canyon 100 Trail Run
  • Skiing in Niseko, Japan
  • Participating in 19 Outdoor Retailer conventions as a reporter
  • Placing third in the Patagonian International Marathon
  • Running multiple remote offices from high mountain locations

A Word From Sean McCoy

As a writer and editor for GearJunkie and AllGear Digital Media, I employ two of my greatest passions — the outdoors and journalism. I started a rock climbing magazine called Vertical Jones with GearJunkie founder Stephen Regenold in 1995 or ’96. The rest is history.  My personal interests include trail running, camping, mountain biking, skiing, dogs, and music.

And while I genuinely enjoy the work I do as a writer and editor, I am most proud of the teams that I have helped build at AllGear. Our company represents the best reporters, editors, and gear experts in the business. They represent diverse communities and activities that span the outdoors. And while we are still a small, growing company, we work every day to tell the most important stories in outdoor recreation, exploration, and conservation.


Guide To Canada’s Little-Known Climbing Mecca

Cave Diving: A New Frontier

Siberian ‘Ice Run’ Across Lake Baikal Is Just Plain Nuts

Cultivated Climbs: Inside Look At Art Of ‘Ice Farming’

Bike Parking: Automated And Underground

Will Cross Country Ski Pile-Up Ever End?

The Zetros: Mercedes Monster Camper

Wireless Earbuds Measure Heart Rate

Man Breaks Through Frozen River To Save Dog

Sam Smoothy’s Definitive ‘Freeski’ Line

Knee-High Kids Boots Keep Feet Dry, Warm

Customizable Frame: 3D Printing In Bike Industry

2015 Chevy Colorado: Tent In Bed And Gear Hauling Tricks

An Inside Look At Hottest Video Production House In The Outdoors

Into The Mind Of A Big Wave Surfer

Women Set Speed Record On ‘The Nose’

Hardshell Bike Box Takes Flight From Airplane Mechanic

Trash or Treasure? 5 Times To Buy Used Gear

Snowmobiler Buried By Avalanche

Chuck Buck, Chairman Of Buck Knives, Dies At 78

Fastest Road Bike We’ve Ridden Yet

Thermacell Lantern Bug Mosquito Repeller

Colorado I-70: Rocky Mountain Highway

’10 Years Of Fat Bikes’

Senators Want To Rename Mount McKinley

Snowskater Outruns Avalanche

Lotion Up! Neck Warmer ‘Moisturizes’ Skin

Day In The Life Of A Ski Photographer

Bandana Is Knot Cheat Sheet

Best downhill skis 2015